Compound Interest Formula:
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Compound interest is the interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods. It allows investments to grow exponentially over time, making it a powerful concept in finance and investing.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much an investment will grow when interest is compounded at regular intervals over a specified time period.
Details: Compound interest is fundamental to long-term wealth building. It demonstrates how small, regular investments can grow significantly over time due to the compounding effect, where you earn interest on your interest.
Tips: Enter the principal amount in dollars, annual interest rate as a percentage, select compounding frequency, and time period in years. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What's the difference between simple and compound interest?
A: Simple interest is calculated only on the principal amount, while compound interest is calculated on both the principal and accumulated interest.
Q2: How does compounding frequency affect returns?
A: More frequent compounding (e.g., daily vs. annually) results in higher returns because interest is calculated and added to the principal more often.
Q3: What is the rule of 72?
A: The rule of 72 estimates how long it takes for an investment to double: 72 divided by the annual interest rate gives the approximate number of years.
Q4: Can compound interest work against me?
A: Yes, when borrowing money, compound interest can cause debt to grow rapidly if not managed properly.
Q5: Is this calculator suitable for all types of investments?
A: This calculator works for fixed-rate investments like savings accounts and certificates of deposit. For variable-rate investments, the results may vary.